Hudson, New Hampshire--Today at American Legion Post 48 in Hudson, New Hampshire, Representatives Joe Courtney (CT-2) and Annie Kuster (NH-2) presented John Ekenbarger with medals earned during his service in the Korean War. Mr. Ekenbarger served as an Anti-aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Crewman in the 2nd Infantry Division, U.S. Army.

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) joined President Obama and congressional colleagues at the White House to mark the enactment of the Clay Hunt SAV Act, a bill Courtney cosponsored, which will expand access to mental health services for military veterans.

“The well-being of the men and women who have served our country is of central importance to my work as the representative for the thousands of military veterans who call eastern Connecticut home.

WASHINGTON--Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) released the following statement after the House voted to pass the Clay Hunt SAV Act, a bill on which Courtney is an original cosponsor:

"Today the House took an important step forward on behalf of the men and women who have worn our nation's uniform. With an estimated 22 veterans taking their lives each day--including the tragic loss of veterans in Connecticut in recent weeks--it is clear that Congress, the VA and our veterans organizations need to continue to work together to address this critical problem.

Norwich, CT—Yesterday, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) met with Darrell Stark, age 92, of Stafford Springs to learn about Mr. Stark’s recent trip to Japan. Mr. Stark and six other former prisoners of war of Japan during World War II made the journey as guests of the Japanese government to revisit and reconcile with their past. Their trip was part of an ongoing reconciliation process that began in 2010 when the Japanese government delivered to the first American POW delegation an official Cabinet-approved apology for the damage and suffering these men endured.

WASHINGTON—Today Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) released the following statement on the House vote to send legislation to reform the Veterans Administration (VA) to conference:

“Today’s action is an important step forward in the effort to provide the top-notch health care that every American military veteran deserves,” Courtney said. “I look forward to the conference committee producing a final bill that I hope will lay out clear, substantial changes to ensure that the VA’s failings in providing access to quality and timely care are fully addressed.

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) released the following statement congratulating Anne Evans, District Director for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, after she was awarded the Department of Defense Reservist and Guard Patriot Award:

WASHINGTON—As the federal government resumes its regular operations after the House Republican-led government shutdown, Congressman Joe Courtney released the following statement on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ return to normal service:

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) released the following statement congratulating Connecticut’s Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, Linda Schwartz, on her presidential nomination to serve as Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Courtney sent a letter on May 22nd to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki recommending Schwartz for the post.